United in pole position to sign Gunners want away Ozil, Chelsea to make fresh Sandro bid

04 October 2017

What the paper say

Chelsea are ready to make a fresh bid for £60 million Juventus wing-back Alex Sandro in the hope of keeping boss Antonio Conte happy, the Daily Mirror reports. Rumours the Italian manager could move to AC Milan may see the London club splash out on a big signing after missing out on some of his experienced targets over the summer, according to the newspaper. The 26-year-old Brazilian international is said to be in their sights.

Manchester United are primed to snap up the Gunners’ attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil when his contract is up at the end of the season, The Independent reports. Jose Mourinho is said to be highly confident he will be able to woo him by playing on their previous working relationship at Real Madrid. The newspaper says talks to keep the German international, 28, with the Gunners are at an impasse and he has shown no real willingness to remain at the club.

Jurgen Klopp vetoed centre-backs Davinson Sanchez and Kalidou Koulibaly as he focused on an ultimately doomed bid to take on Virgil van Dijk over the summer, says The Sun reporting claims in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. Sanchez, Tottenham’s £42 million Colombian international, was the first to be snubbed, while Napoli’s Koulibaly, who plays for Senegal, was offered to the Kop for £57m – less than the German manager wanted to pay for Van Dijk. Southampton rejected a deal for their £65million-rated centre-back.

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is tipped to return to Bayern Munich to replace Carlo Ancelotti, the Daily Mirror reports. The Dutchman, who was dropped by United days after they won the 2015-16 FA Cup, could take over at the Bundesliga club until the end of the season when Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann would take over. Van Gaal managed Bayern between 2009 and 2011 before a stint as Holland boss.

Could Louis van Gaal be returning to one of his former clubs? (Mike Egerton/PA)

Cristiano Ronaldo has explained why he left Manchester United for Real Madrid. In an interview with former team mate Rio Ferdinand for Nike, the Portuguese star said: “I just thought in my mind ‘I want to go there to show my level, to show that I’m a different player’ and this is what I did.” Now 32, Ronaldo was 18 years old when he joined the Red Devils in 2003. He transferred to Real in 2009 for £80 million, a world record fee at the time.

Players to watch

Liverpool winger Ben Woodburn scored on his international debut for Wales (David Davies/PA)

Ben Woodburn: The 17-year-old Liverpool starlet had five Spanish sides pursue him while he was still at school, his old PE teacher has told the Daily Mirror.Danny Ings: Leeds United have earmarked the Liverpool striker, 25, for a January deal, according to ESPN.